Health-care providers in the United States wrote over 9 million prescriptions for Ozempic and similar drugs in the final three months of 2022, a new analysis has found. These medications have become highly sought-after for their weight-loss effects. The report, released by data-analytics firm Trilliant Health, reveals that quarterly prescriptions for the drugs have quadrupled since early 2020.
While Ozempic is approved to treat diabetes, the data indicate that many providers are prescribing it off-label for weight loss and other purposes. Trilliant’s analysis, which covers claims data for approximately 300 million Americans, also shows that slightly more than half of the patients taking Ozempic or a similar drug have a history of diabetes.
The surge in prescriptions is believed to be due to the effectiveness of GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, in helping overweight individuals lose a significant amount of weight. These drugs work by slowing down the stomach’s emptying process and signaling fullness to the brain. They have also been found to reduce the risk of heart problems. However, they may come with unpleasant side effects like nausea and vomiting.
The high demand for these weight-loss drugs has led to a shortage, with manufacturers unable to keep up. This scarcity has given rise to a parallel industry, where compounding pharmacies mix up copies of FDA-approved drugs and clinics and telehealth firms market them.
It is unclear whether off-brand versions are included in Trilliant’s analysis, but the firm found that more than 9 million prescriptions were written for semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide in the final quarter of 2022. Trilliant also analyzed patient use of Ozempic in 15 major U.S. cities, with Cleveland experiencing the highest increase at 481%.
The pharmaceutical industry is now racing to develop their own weight-loss drugs to compete with medications like Ozempic. Analysts at Goldman Sachs have identified 54 anti-obesity drugs in clinical trials or that have shown positive results in late-stage studies. These drugs have the potential to become one of the largest therapeutic categories in the biopharmaceutical industry.
It is important to note that the figure for total prescriptions is likely an undercount since many health plans do not cover weight-loss drugs, leaving patients to pay for them out of pocket. Additionally, the off-label use of diabetes drugs for weight loss raises questions about the need for proper medical supervision and consultation.
Overall, the increasing popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic highlights the growing importance of tackling obesity and its associated health risks. The development of safe and effective treatments for weight loss is crucial in addressing this public health issue.